Decarbonisation imperils long-term LNG contracts
Failing to incorporate greater flexibility into LNG purchase agreements could spell trouble as nations get tough on carbon emissions
LNG producers are failing to include sufficient protections against unforeseen events in their contracts with buyers—an oversight that could lead to expensive litigation should deals turn sour, a top industry lawyer told the 2020 Gastech Virtual Summit last week. The annual contract volume of 20-year LNG sales-and-purchase agreements (SPAs) has slumped over the past decade, from a peak of around 25mn t to about 12mnt last year and less than 2mn t so far in 2020. But they remain an industry staple despite doubts over LNG’s long-term profitability. “Shorter duration contracts are still very long term... [there are] requirements for flexibility at all levels and pretty much in all ways,” says P
Also in this section
15 May 2024
Five years ago, Uzbekistan turned to a private company called Saneg to reverse the fortunes of its oil industry. Results so far are encouraging, and according to CEO Tulkin Yusupov, further progress is on the way
14 May 2024
But there is still plenty of appetite for the country’s LNG in the Asia-Pacific region
14 May 2024
The former CEO of Pioneer, Scott Sheffield, has opened a can of worms through his association with OPEC+ and its market management strategy
13 May 2024
OPEC+ has huge amounts of spare capacity amid a tightening market, but nothing can be taken for granted given unclear economic trajectories and geopolitical unrest